Artist Spotlight: Blackened Nu-Metal, Live-Captured Indie Rock, and Moody Alt-Pop
By David Weddle
Exploring the raw talent and resonant stories of the independent music scene.
Exploring the raw talent and resonant stories of the independent music scene.
It is an exciting time for new music currently. With our regular spotlight articles, we love to highlight a massive variety of independent acts from across the musical spectrum. Today we are diving into three incredible projects that swap rigid, over-polished production for pure, raw human energy: Hollow Construct, Conor Miley, and Maria West.
Hollow Construct is an international four-piece blackened nu-metal band with an unusual backstory. The members didn't meet in a conventional way, the band was entirely formed through Discord, with the band spread across the world including Michigan, Vancouver, Alberta and The Netherlands.
That distance has not been a barrier to them creating some incredibly impactful music. Their latest single M.Y.G. (The Ballad Of Quincy Jones) (feat. Alejandro Aguirre) is a great example of the bands uncompromising, raw, in your face music that really hits hard. If you love your music loud then this is definitely one to check out.
Listen here
That distance has not been a barrier to them creating some incredibly impactful music. Their latest single M.Y.G. (The Ballad Of Quincy Jones) (feat. Alejandro Aguirre) is a great example of the bands uncompromising, raw, in your face music that really hits hard. If you love your music loud then this is definitely one to check out.
Listen here
Fresh from a premiere with Atwood Magazine, Wexford based multi-instrumentalist Conor Miley has officially released his brand new single 'Peepshow'. The track was recorded at Monique Studios in Cork completely live with a full band, a move that was intentionally made as a counter to AI-generated music.
That bold decision has definitely paid off, 'Peepshow' has real depth and a vibe that you can only really get when musicians are bouncing off each other's energy. The bass starts things off as Conor delivers his observations with a powerful, high energy vocal. It is a track that doesn't shy away from the big issues, focussing on political polarization and tribalism in modern society. The band sound really tight and that bass is just pure class.
Listen here
That bold decision has definitely paid off, 'Peepshow' has real depth and a vibe that you can only really get when musicians are bouncing off each other's energy. The bass starts things off as Conor delivers his observations with a powerful, high energy vocal. It is a track that doesn't shy away from the big issues, focussing on political polarization and tribalism in modern society. The band sound really tight and that bass is just pure class.
Listen here
Independent artist Maria West describes herself as "a homemaker creating music out of a soft rebellion". Stylistically she creates nostalgic, cinematic alt pop and that is exactly what she has delivered with her single 'Walking Red Flag'.
A striking dark, incredibly moody pop gem that sees Maria tackle the complexities of modern relationships. In particular looking at the confusing phenomena of intentionally ignoring all the glaringly obvious red flags in a relationship, kidding yourself that everything is fine. It has a larger than life, atmospheric arrangement with Maria's stunning vocals bringing warmth and depth to song.
Listen here
A striking dark, incredibly moody pop gem that sees Maria tackle the complexities of modern relationships. In particular looking at the confusing phenomena of intentionally ignoring all the glaringly obvious red flags in a relationship, kidding yourself that everything is fine. It has a larger than life, atmospheric arrangement with Maria's stunning vocals bringing warmth and depth to song.
Listen here
Keep an eye out for more artist spotlights, and if you have any new music that you think deserves a shout-out, feel free to send it our way.